Three women narrowly avoided being roasted alive while holding fireworks over a sewer cover when falling sparks ignited underground methane gas, causing a column of fire several feet high to erupt under their feet.

A bystander who was filming the women as they played with the fireworks accident captured the moment the manhole cover that then flew open as a column of flame leapt up underneath the woman's feet and they fled in all directions.

The incident happened during New Year's Eve festivities in Zhengzhou, China, on December 31.

In the video, three women are standing in a small circle, waving what appear to be sparklers to welcome the New Year.

As they were trying to snap a photo of the celebratory act, sparks are seen dropping down into the sewer below and apparently ignited gas inside resulting in the manhole cover flying open and intense flame erupting into the street.

People that gathered nearby as well as the women quickly ran in all directions as the column of fire rose above their heads.

Luckily, the three women escaped injury after spotting the manhole cover flying open and they escaped just in time.

Local media reports claim the women were standing over the manhole cover and letting the sparks onto the ground.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, aiming to analyse its causes and implement measures to avoid similar mishaps in the future.

In recent years China has been plagued by a number of incidents involving exploding manholes in which the steel covers were often sent flying into the air, and online commentators noted that on these occasions, the cover appeared to be fixed on a hinge which prevented it being sent sky-high.

Simultaneously, officials said efforts are underway to enhance public awareness through educational campaigns, emphasising the necessity of safety consciousness and self-protection.